Friday, July 17, 2015

Cross cultural missions.. in your back yard??

We are preparing for Global Fair tomorrow (why yes I am a procrastinator) Feel free to stop by at our booth if you'd like to see us!

I was looking for "facts" to share about Deaf, Christianity and Belize.

I came upon this startling article. I guess in some ways I already knew the facts. I have been exposed to them, I realize this is why I have chosen Deaf missions (really it chose Nathanael, and I was called with him). I also look at it as a huge challenge. Cross cultural missions in your own backyard? Yes!

We are on our way to Belize, but what are you called to?

I will leave you with a impacting quote from the article. If you'd like to learn more, watch this video. Don't totally understand it? Maybe that helps you get a bigger picture! Here's a map of what deaf as an unreached people group looks like.

The much awaited quote:

Most churches regard the deaf as a benevolence ministry, similar to the elderly or disabled. But experts argue that a different paradigm is desperately needed: seeing deaf ministry as cross-cultural missions.

Language and cultural barriers have left the deaf a veritable unreached people group right in America's midst. Christian deaf ministries estimate that only 1 percent of American deaf children will attend church as adults. Less than 7 percent will ever have the gospel presented to them in a way they can understand.